1.

1 The Classification of
Microorganisms
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
list the characteristics of various types
of microorganisms.
classify microorganisms into bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, viruses and algae.
describe the characteristics of each
group of microorganism.
Most
microorganisms/
microbes are
unicellular.
They can be seen
by the help of
microscope.
They can be
classified into:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Algae
- Virus
The microorganisms can be differentiated
based on 4 factors:
-Shape
- Size
1) BACTERIA
HABITAT
Bacteria can be
found in dark
and moist
conditions such
as; soil, plants,
human beings
and animals.
APPEARANCE
Unicellular organisms.
Surrounded by tough
cell wall.
Pilli (hairlike structure):
enable to stick on
certain surfaces.
Flagellum (tail): helps
them to move/swim.

pilli
flagellum
capsule
Cell wall
cytoplasm

Size: Diameter ranges from 0.5 1.0
micrometers (only visible using a high
powered microscope).
Bacteria are named based on their shapes:
- Spherical-shape bacteria= cocci.
- Rod-shape bacteria = bacilli.
- Comma-shape bacteria = vibrios.
- Spiral-shape bacteria = spirilla.







NUTRITION
Bacteria get nutrients to grow and survive by
do:
- Photosynthesis ( for autotrophic bacteria)
- Absoprtion ( for saprotrophs and parasites
bacteria)
* Autotrophic = can make foods by photosynthesis.
* Saprotrophs = absorb nutrients from dead
organisms.
* Parasites = absorb nutrients from living
orgasnisms.

Green bacteria
Sulphur bacteria
Lactobacillus sp.
bacteria
METHODS OF
REPRODUCTION
Asexual
reproduction
Sexual
reproduction
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
In asexual
reproduction, a
new organism is
produced from a
single parent
(bacteria divide
into two).
There are so many
type of asexual
reproduction.
Example:
- Binary fission
- Budding
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
In sexual
reproduction, two
cells (one from
each parent) join
together to form
one cell.
There are so many
type of sexual
reproduction.
Example:
- Conjugation (occur
when lack of
food/nutrients).

2) FUNGI
Fungi are simple,
plant-like
organisms.
Size: 10 100
micrometres.
Examples:
- Yeast
- Moulds
APPEARANCE
Yeast
Unicellular
microorganisms.
Round/ oval shape.
Mould
Multicellular
microorganisms.
Have long thread-like
strands called hyphae.
Moulds can be found on some surfaces; damp
walls, clothes or rotting food.
Dark and moist conditions are the
most suitable for the growth of fungi
!
NUTRITION
Fungi do not make their own foods
because they do not have chlorophyll.
They are saprophytes (feed on living
things or dead matter).



3) PROTOZOA
APPEARANCE
Unicellular
microorganisms.
Size: 5 to 250
micrometres.
250
5
pseudopodia
- false feet ; helps
them to move
cillium - Tiny hairs ; used
to move and
draw foods
Amoeba
Paramecium
HABITAT
(dark and moist conditions)

NUTRITION VIDEO (4)

METHODS OF
REPRODUCTION
Binary fission
( eg: Amoeba)
Conjugation
( eg: Paramecium)
ALGAE
APPEARANCE
Simple organisms that can make food by
photosynthesis.
Some are unicellular (eg: euglena).
Some are multicellular (eg: spirogyra).
Size: 1 to 10 000 micrometres.
Euglena Spirogyra
HABITAT aquatic

Algae can tolerate a wide range of
temperature.
NUTRITION